How do you eat dairy-free at WDW?

[bangzoom6877]

My doctor recently told me to avoid dairy as much as possible and to proceed with caution. This is because of a very bad bout with IBS a few weeks ago. I knew that I had been lactose intolerant for a long time, but of course I wasn't doing evertything I was supposed to do. I am allowed to eat yogurt daily (it doesn't affect me at all), but before seeing the doctor a few weeks ago, I had also been eating cheese (even soft cheese...hard aged cheeses seem to be OKK), and ice cream. Not good for me! Since giving these things up, I have been feeling great. Of course, that means that when I go on vacation I need to be careful so that I feel well.

So...how do you avoid dairy at WDW? The last time we were there (July 2010), I was eating everything...including Mickey ice cream bars, and putting regular milk in my cofffee...and of course, I paid the price as I always did.

Do they have soy milk or non-dairy creamer at any of the restaurants at breakfast time? If not, I know I can buy a box of those little individual powder packets of Coffeemate and bring them with me next time we go. Is it very hard eating at TS restaurants if you can't have dairy? Will they do something more customized, like prepare something with no butter and use oil instead?

I can handle a little bit of dairy, but very little. Example...I can have a little bit of a baked item that is made with dairy, unless it is dairy overload, like cheesecake. But I am sure going to miss those Mickey ice cream bars.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I believe the key is to avoid dairy, as much as possible, according to the advice your doctor gave you. You probably have researched online how to manage IBS. Here is one website, for example: http://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/irritable-bowel-syndrome-living-managing

 

[chartle]

Just so you know Dole Whips are lactose free, but not completely dairy free (sodium casniate same as non dairy creamer).

 

[bangzoom6877]

I believe the key is to avoid dairy, as much as possible, according to the advice your doctor gave you. You probably have researched online how to manage IBS. Here is one website, for example: http://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/irritable-bowel-syndrome-living-managing

Oh yes, I have done tons of research since 12 years ago when I was first diagnosed with IBS. A lot of trial and error too, and it has gotten better.

Just so you know Dole Whips are lactose free, but not completely dairy free (sodium casniate same as non dairy creamer).

As long as it is lactose free, I will be fine. I don't have an allergy to dairy, but a lactose intolerance. I am very happy that Dole Whips are lactose free, because I love them!

Any other experience avoiding dairy at WDW? We mostly eat at TS restaurants, so it will be noted on our ADRs along with my son's shellfish allergy (they handle that well!).

 

[MelanieC]

Do a search on vegan here on the DIS. I was vegan for my first trip last summer and it's totally easy to go dairy free to Disney and I even avoided egg and meat and had a great trip with tons to eat!

 

[alicehatter]

Disney does an amazing job catering to people with any allergies, and Dairy may be one of the easier ones they can help with! I went last year and avoided it the entire time, even managing to get many milkshakes and desserts!

They use Tofutti ice cream and Rice Dream in all the ice cream alternatives, and I must say that chocolate Tofutti is just as good as the real thing! I had Milkshakes at Sci Fi Theater, Peanut Butter and Jelly shakes at 50s Prime Time, and Huge Sundaes loaded with goodies at Beaches and Cream!

They can provide soy milk anytime you would like some for your coffee at restaurants, and of course specialized Mickey Waffles for breakfast!

I would just contact special diets and let them know to mark you with a "Dairy allergy" for any restaurant reservations you've made. That way the chefs will be aware in advance. Check out my review from last year for more specifics of certain restaurants.

I hope this helps!

 

[BebopBaloo]

I have the same issues and I wish that I could eat at Disney every time I went out to eat. I have had the BEST dining experiences at Disney. Every counter service place has a notebook w/ ingredients. Just tell the cashier that you cannot have lactose and they will get a manager. This of course takes a little longer, but it's totally worth it when you get to enjoy your food and feel great. There are dairy free,gluten free, etc free cookies and brownies at most counter service places.


For table service meals a chef will come to your table, will help you decide on what to get and may even make special items for you. At Boma, they made a special sorbet. At Liberty Tree Tavern they made dairy free mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. At Chef Mickeys they made Mickey waffles...Crystal Palace provides Vans waffles and muffins upon request.

Also, if you are at a buffet, the chef will walk the buffet line with you and tell you what is safe and what is not.

I have seen soy milk listed on many menus. It was even available in our resort food court upon request...it just wasn't listed anywhere.

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor/ Main Street Ice Cream Parlor serves rice dream/ tofutti ice cream. So, you can still sit on Main Street and enjoy an ice cream cone! And as someone else mentioned...DOLE WHIPS. Oh Yum.

Have a great trip!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Do a search on vegan here on the DIS. I was vegan for my first trip last summer and it's totally easy to go dairy free to Disney and I even avoided egg and meat and had a great trip with tons to eat!

Sounds like a good idea...I will definitely check that out!

Disney does an amazing job catering to people with any allergies, and Dairy may be one of the easier ones they can help with! I went last year and avoided it the entire time, even managing to get many milkshakes and desserts!

They use Tofutti ice cream and Rice Dream in all the ice cream alternatives, and I must say that chocolate Tofutti is just as good as the real thing! I had Milkshakes at Sci Fi Theater, Peanut Butter and Jelly shakes at 50s Prime Time, and Huge Sundaes loaded with goodies at Beaches and Cream!

They can provide soy milk anytime you would like some for your coffee at restaurants, and of course specialized Mickey Waffles for breakfast!

I would just contact special diets and let them know to mark you with a "Dairy allergy" for any restaurant reservations you've made. That way the chefs will be aware in advance. Check out my review from last year for more specifics of certain restaurants.

I hope this helps!

Wow, milkshakes?! I thought I was confined to making those at home only, where I can use dairy free ice cream (tofutti, like you mentioned) and almond milk or soy milk! This is great news! There was a diner near my house (Brooklyn, NY) that served the best soft serve chocolate tofutti. But they closed a few months ago. We LOVE Sci-Fi and 50s PT, and now I know I can get the PB & J shake dairy-free. DH had it on our last trip (he has no dairy issues) and I only tasted a tiny sip because I knew what it would do to me to drink a whole one. But that tiny sip was delicious so next time I will get my own, dairy free! I don't want to put "dairy allergy" on the form though...I would rather put lactose intolerant. I can have some very small amounts of dairy, and I can have yogurt (I eat it every day with no problems).

I have the same issues and I wish that I could eat at Disney every time I went out to eat. I have had the BEST dining experiences at Disney. Every counter service place has a notebook w/ ingredients. Just tell the cashier that you cannot have lactose and they will get a manager. This of course takes a little longer, but it's totally worth it when you get to enjoy your food and feel great. There are dairy free,gluten free, etc free cookies and brownies at most counter service places.


For table service meals a chef will come to your table, will help you decide on what to get and may even make special items for you. At Boma, they made a special sorbet. At Liberty Tree Tavern they made dairy free mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. At Chef Mickeys they made Mickey waffles...Crystal Palace provides Vans waffles and muffins upon request.

Also, if you are at a buffet, the chef will walk the buffet line with you and tell you what is safe and what is not.

I have seen soy milk listed on many menus. It was even available in our resort food court upon request...it just wasn't listed anywhere.

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor/ Main Street Ice Cream Parlor serves rice dream/ tofutti ice cream. So, you can still sit on Main Street and enjoy an ice cream cone! And as someone else mentioned...DOLE WHIPS. Oh Yum.

Have a great trip!

So far on WDW trips, we have eaten all our meals on property. Since Legoland is supposed to be open in Orlando before our next trip, that will be the first time we will be eating off property, when we have lunch there. I will have to be very careful.

I am glad to hear that I can get non dairy ice cream at Main St. ice cream parlor!

 

[disneywatcher]

My DSis is allergic to dairy. When she went with us to WDW last year, I called and had her allergy put on ALL of our ADR's. When we went to CS resturants, she picked those things she knew would contain little to no dairy and order those. They do have soy milk at just about every resturant in Disney as far as I know.

 

[iloman]

I like to indulge when I go, so I take a lot of the chewable lactaid pills with me. Take one with your first bite of food and they help a lot!

FYI Lactose Intolerance isn't a food allergy; we just don't have the enzymes to break down lactose any more.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Disney does an amazing job catering to people with any allergies, and Dairy may be one of the easier ones they can help with! I went last year and avoided it the entire time, even managing to get many milkshakes and desserts!

They use Tofutti ice cream and Rice Dream in all the ice cream alternatives, and I must say that chocolate Tofutti is just as good as the real thing! I had Milkshakes at Sci Fi Theater, Peanut Butter and Jelly shakes at 50s Prime Time, and Huge Sundaes loaded with goodies at Beaches and Cream!

They can provide soy milk anytime you would like some for your coffee at restaurants, and of course specialized Mickey Waffles for breakfast!

I would just contact special diets and let them know to mark you with a "Dairy allergy" for any restaurant reservations you've made. That way the chefs will be aware in advance. Check out my review from last year for more specifics of certain restaurants.

I hope this helps!

I just read your reviews (and replied to your thread!), thank you so much! They really make it very easy to enjoy yourself while eating dairy-free, and even vegan! I am not a vegan or vegetarian, so as long as they don't cook my meat or eggs in butter, I'm ok!

 

[grafxgirl]

If you make table service dining reservations, have the dining cast member make a note of your dietary needs. The restaurants will then have that note handy and have the chef come out to talk to you about creating alternative choices.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I like to indulge when I go, so I take a lot of the chewable lactaid pills with me. Take one with your first bite of food and they help a lot!

FYI Lactose Intolerance isn't a food allergy; we just don't have the enzymes to break down lactose any more.

If you're going to try taking these, try it well before you go on vacation. They don't work for everyone, though if they do work for you - then that would be great!

 

[MelanieC]

Hi
I just updated my last July restaurant report with pictures. I hadn't finished it because I thought I lost the pictures on a computer that doesn't work. Just found them all so I was able to complete it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2511232&highlight=vegan

There are a ton of pictures of snacks I had that are all dairy free including all my dairy free meals (they are also meat and egg free). Most are Quick service meals, but there are two on Boma and Jiko.

I was able to find lots of stuff to snack on that was dairy free. There are lots of Divvies and food for life products that are all dairy free too. Plus don't forget about Baby Cakes Bakery now at DTD that has vegan and gluten free baked yummies!!

Also the food courts have little containers of soy milk that you can purchase. This would be good for coffee. If you put it on ice in the ice bucket during the day it should stay good for multiple resort coffee needs.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Hi
I just updated my last July restaurant report with pictures. I hadn't finished it because I thought I lost the pictures on a computer that doesn't work. Just found them all so I was able to complete it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2511232&highlight=vegan

There are a ton of pictures of snacks I had that are all dairy free including all my dairy free meals (they are also meat and egg free). Most are Quick service meals, but there are two on Boma and Jiko.

I was able to find lots of stuff to snack on that was dairy free. There are lots of Divvies and food for life products that are all dairy free too. Plus don't forget about Baby Cakes Bakery now at DTD that has vegan and gluten free baked yummies!!

Also the food courts have little containers of soy milk that you can purchase. This would be good for coffee. If you put it on ice in the ice bucket during the day it should stay good for multiple resort coffee needs.

I will definitely check out your thread! We eat mostly at TS restaurants, but we hit the occasional CS also. So, I am curious to see how you did at CS. I recently read that Baby Cakes is in DTD now...they are here in NYC. I have never been there (I live in Brooklyn, and don't go into Manhattan too often) but it looks great. The only thing that makes me nervous about Baby Cakes is that they use coconut oil. Coconut milk upsets my IBS and I wonder if coconut oil would do the same. Not allergic though...I have been tested already.

As for coffee at the resort, we stay in a 1-bedroom at Boardwalk Villas (DVC), so coffee is not a problem. I can bring non-dairy creamer for that, or soymilk or almond milk.

 

[AllergyFreeMouse]

You should do very well if you make plans in advance. My daughter is allergic to casein, so she cannot have the Dole Whips, nor can she come into contact with dairy. So cross-contamination is a big issue for us.

BabyCakes in DTD is fantastic. Check it out for sure.

For counter service, we had really good success at Tortuga Tavern, Pinocchio Village Haus and Liberty Inn (Epcot)